I live, run my business, my child attends a local school and I volunteer at a local school.

Why do you want to be an MP?

I’m a wife, mother and small business owner so this decision was deeply personal.

I truly felt that neither major party was putting Australians first and I wanted to be someone that real people could identify with, that would raise their hand and say ‘here’s another option and an option for hope for our children and future generations’.

Duncan Dean, United Australia Party

What are your top three priorities for the area?

Climate change, transport infrastructure and cost of living.

What’s your personal connection to the electorate?

I was born in Melbourne and live with my family in Harkaway.

My electorate is dynamic, changing demographically and a great multi-cultural society which I wish to serve to the best of my knowledge and experience.

My international experience is a great asset in working with multiple cultures to achieve the best outcomes for the families of La Trobe.

Why do you want to be an MP?

To address local issues, national agenda and global strategic issues such as climate change.

Simon Curtis, Australian Labor Party

What are your top three priorities for the area?

1. Funding for healthcare and education so that every Australian has the chance to access top-quality services regardless of their bank balance.

2. Cost of living pressures keep going up, but wages aren’t keeping up. I want to ensure local families get a fair go.

3. Local infrastructure projects have been neglected by an Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison Government which has forgotten about Victoria. I want to deliver the infrastructure our community have missed out on.

What’s your personal connection to the electorate?

My family have lived in Berwick since the 1850s.

During that time, generations of our family have been actively involved in many parts of our community through schools, churches and community groups.

My wife and I continue to raise our family in Berwick and we enjoy watching our children experience their own connection to our community.

I have served our community on Casey council, as the president of the Berwick Football Club, and I am a local school teacher.

Why do you want to be an MP?

I feel at a local level and as a teacher that I can improve the lives of many people in our community in a small way.

However, by serving as the local member in our Federal Parliament I can help to deliver a fair go and improve the lives of many others in our broader community.